Legacy to Live on through Bourne Jr This Weekend

The
son of late rally legend Possum Bourne will step out this
Saturday to compete in his first ever rally - giving tribute
to his father participating in the Possum Bourne Memorial
Rally held in and around the Franklin and North Waikato
Districts for its tenth consecutive year.

Behind the wheel
of a Subaru Impreza WRX obtained specifically for his rally
debut, Taylor Bourne (18) will co drive alongside step
father and MP for Rodney Mark Mitchell to follow in his
father’s tracks - the area made famous for rallying on a
world stage by Possum during the 1990’s and throughout the
peak of his career.

Taylor’s Subaru - a 2012 WRX coupe
has been put together by none other than Pukekohe’s own
Possum Bourne Motorsport and has been “tricked out” says
Taylor to suit the demands of rallying. “She’s no
slug” says Taylor “but the priority will be on finishing
this rally and enjoying every moment of it. I’ve got a
bit of time left yet for testing our new toys
pace.”

When asked what convinced Taylor to compete in
the iconic memorial rally, Taylor mentioned that it was
actually his step-father Mark that suggested the idea.
“I’ve never actually done any kind of formal tribute to
my late father, but seeing as this is the 10th anniversary
of his passing, as well as the rally itself we decided
together and as a family that it was a fitting thing to
do” says Taylor.

All of this, confirmed in discussion
following a morning’s Motokhana at the Pukekohe Car Club
at an event held in nearby Tuakau some 2.5 weeks ago. Not
fitting with the usual preparation required prior to a
rally, the family banded together and quickly called on
friends, family and contacts to not only find a suitable
race vehicle, but obtain the correct licences in order to be
able compete legally, bring sponsors on board and everything
else required to get Taylor and Mark to the ceremonial start
in Pukekohe’s King Street at 7am.

Taylors Mother, Peggy
Bourne said “it’s been an absolute mission, but a very,
very humbling few weeks to see and feel the support coming
in for Taylor and the family from every direction.”

“Knowing the emotion that will be involved for everyone
on Saturday, we think it’s an amazing thing to be part of
not only for Taylor, but for everyone who has ever had a
direct or indirect connection to Possum.”

Supported has
been poured in for Taylor’s campaign from new and old
sponsors such as CRC, Subaru New Zealand, McDonalds Orewa,
Chicane Racewear, Glasurit Paints, Agility logistics,
Northern Arena, Caltex, PBM and Hella. All of which have
come on board in the short space of time it has taken Taylor
to realise Taylors his calling.

“I am extremely proud,
but would be lying if I said it wasn’t all a bit nerve
racking” says Peggy. “With that though, the sheer
admiration for Taylor’s personal tribute to Possum and
overwhelming amount of support from everyone around us has
superseded most of the nerves.”

“There’s no
pressure on Taylor this weekend, it’s about having have
fun.”

The Vantage Possum Bourne Memorial Rally will take
place this Saturday as the fifth round of the New Zealand
Rally Championship. For more information on the rally and
for spectator viewing point visit
www.pbmrally.co.nz

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